Dr. Ruttanatip (Dang) Chonwerawong

AP:An Illusion of Meritocracy?

About Me

• Attended a convent school in Thailand for 14 years

• Never taken AP• Free & probably know less than you• I am a substitute so go easy on me.• I believe that “AP” starts before

students enter elementary schools.

Why am I here?

Home Pre K-12Higher

Education(UW-Madison)

Most everyone goes here

Not everyone goes here ?

In 2013, What percentage of Latino/a high school graduates took AP and earn 3+ in Wisconsin?

A. 7.2%

B. 30%

C. 13.5%

D. 4%

(Total Latino/a graduates: 3,964)

Source: AP Report to the Nation

In 2013, What percentage of African American high school graduates took AP and earn 3+ in Wisconsin?

A. 7.2%

B. 3.5%

C. 13.5%

D. 4%

(Total African American graduates: 4,621)

Source: AP Report to the Nation

In 2013, What percentage of low income high school graduates took AP and earn 3+ in Wisconsin?

A. 22.5%

B. 3.5%

C. 15.5%

D. 10%

(Total low-come graduates: 5,365)

Source: AP Report to the Nation

In 2013, What percentage of White high school graduates took AP and earn 3+ in Wisconsin?

A. 22.5%

B. 24%

C. 30.5%%

D. 40%%

(Total White graduates: 48,351)

Source: AP Report to the Nation

American Indian/Alaskan Native

Asian/Pacific Is-lander

Black/African-American

Hispanic/Latino White

Took AP exam 692 2233 4621 3964 48351

5000

15000

25000

35000

45000

55000

1%4%

8% 7%

81%

Wisconsin AP Report 2013

Gra

duat

ing

clas

s

Source: AP Report to the Nation, 2013

ACT 2013

• State average: 22.1• National average: 20.9• UW average: 28.2• Wisconsin students• African American/Black: 16.2• American Indian: 19.8• Asian: 20.2• Hispanic: 19.2• White: 23.1• Others: 21.6

Source: ACT College Readiness Report by State, 2013

How many years of math do you need to apply to UW-Madison?

A. 4

B. 2

C. 3

D. 1

How many years of a single foreign language do you need to apply to UW-Madison?

A. 2-3

B. 2

C. 3-4

D. 3

Typical profile of students accepted to UW-Madison

• ACT average 28.2• English 4 years• Math 4 years• Science 3-4 years• Foreign Language 3-4 years• Class Rank 85-96 percentile• Average AP credits 15

AP Math at UWSource: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis

AP Chemistry at UWSource: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis

AP Psychology at UWSource: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis

AP Biology at UWSource: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis

AP in Action I

Kinesiology Requirement

• Biology or AP score of 4 or 5• 1 yr. of Chemistry (AP score

of 4 or 5 can = 1 semester)• Physics or AP score of 4 or 5• Psychology 202• KIN 119

After admissions:• Math 221• Statistics• Physiology• Anatomy

Student A

Upon admission• AP Biology (4)• AP Math (Cal 221-4)• AP Chemistry (4)

Remaining courses:• Physics• Psych 202• KIN119

AP in Action II

Kinesiology Requirement

• Biology or AP score of 4 or 5• 1 yr. of Chemistry (AP score

of 4 or 5 can = 1 semester)• Physics or AP score of 4 or 5• Psychology 202• KIN 119

After admissions:• Math 221• Statistics• Physiology• Anatomy

Student BUpon admission• AP History (4)• Placed in Math 112 (College

Algebra)

Remaining courses:• Biology 5 credits• Physics 4 credits• Psych 202 3 credits• Chemistry 9 credits• KIN119

Implications for Student B

Facts

• Math 112 is a prerequisite for Chemistry 103 & Physics 103

• Student must take 112, 113, then 221

• Math 112 is a predictor of success in Biology (no one knows why)

Implications

• Time to degree• $$• Higher risk of not having

a competitive GPA to apply and get accepted to the major

• More likely to switch to non-science major if not successful in Math 112

AP in Action III

Pre-Business Requirements

• 1 semester of Calculus• Econ 101• Psych 202• Communication A• Minimum of 24 credits• Average GPA of admitted

pre-business students: 3.4

Student CUpon admission• AP Cal • AP Psych • AP Econ• Placed out of Comm A

Implications for students B & C

Student B

Upon admission• AP Cal • AP Psych • AP Econ• Placed out of Comm A

Remaining Courses:

None

Student C

Upon admission• AP History (4)• Placed in Math 112 (College

Algebra)

Remaining courses:• Math 113 & 211 or 221• Psych 202• Econ 101• Comm A

Source: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis

“None of the students with AP preparation received D, F, or drop the course. Almost half (48%) of 151 students with AP Biology score of 5 received an A in the course. (August, 2012)”

AP & Biology 151

Math Gap

A AB B BC C D F Drop0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Math 1122008-2013

Targted Minority Non-Targeted

Source: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis, 2009

Math and Opportunities in College

Remedial Math Calculus

Source: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and Analysis, 2009

Access to UW-Madison

Source: UW-Madison, Office of Academic Planning and AnalysisSource: DPI

MacLeod. J. (1995) Ain’t no making it: Aspirations and attainment in a low income neighborhood. Boulder, CO: Westview.

“Schools reproduce social inequality, but by dealing in the currency of academic credentials, the educational system legitimates the entire process.”

Quizzes

• What was an average ACT score for the State of Wisconsin is 2013?

• How many units of math do you need to apply to UW-Madison?

• In 2013, what percentage of White high school graduates in Wisconsin took at least one AP exam?

• Name two implications for students who attend UW-Madison with fewer or none AP credits.

• According to this presentation, what are characteristics of students who have access to AP courses?